The Philosophy of Howard Gardner

“Only if we expand and reformulate our viewof what counts as human intellect, will webe able to devise more appropriate ways of assessing it, and more effective ways of educating it.“ p.4 H. Gardner, FRAMES of MIND

Gardner’s Motivation for Writing

FRAMES of MINDHis most notable reasons for investigating

MI are: Examination of how a theory of Multiple

Intelligences could impact education. Improve understanding of the impact of

cultural variations on cognitive and psychological development.

Fostering inquiry about how intelligences can be supported in various cultural settings.

The Eight Criteria of an Intelligence-H.Gardner

1. Potential isolation by brain damage 2. The existence of savants, prodigies, and uniquely

gifted individuals. 3. Possesses an identifiable core operation or set of

operations. 4. Has a distinct developmental history with end

results. 5. Evolutionary history and plausibility. 6. Support from experimental psychological tasks. 7. Support from findings that emphasize or exclude

certain intelligences. 8. Susceptibility to encoding in a system of symbols

(i.e. words, numbers, notes, pictures, symbols etc.)

During early childhood development, studies have documented that a large section of the

cortex remains uncommitted and available for other diverse uses during

the growing child’s life.

Researcher’s point to this unique trait observed in brain injured subjects.

New brain modes or columns grow parallel to the existing connectors, creating channels

allowing new processing abilities to develop.

Biological –DNA / RNA Genetics Experiences –Development Observations Symbols Culture Adaptations New Applications and the Transfer of Analytical

Processes Body Movement, Problem Solving

Skills,Listening

The Process of Cognitive LearningWhy do we think the way we do ?

Cause & Effects

Intelligence Types

Linguistic

Musical

Spatial

Bodily Kinesthetic

PersonalInterpersonalIntrapersonal

Naturalistic *

Gardner’s Own Critical Look at Multiple Intelligence

Gardner himself freely admits that his theory of Multiple Intelligences does not address all of the countless unknowns that make up the human mind.

Points not covered in the theory are: Social psychology Personality Temperment Psychology of affect to

feelings Character development Motivation Attention Human will

Experiment

Its all in how you chew it…

Humans are plastic, ever developing, adapting to new situations and evolving.

There are unlimited variations with numerous and still some undiscovered measurable intelligences.

H. Gardner believes that we need to continue to think outside the box.

Survival of the Fittest How we think, how well and

diversified we are in the process of thinking, depends on the mixture of Multiple Intelligences we use to learn about our world.

Pangaea broke up, slid along plate tectonic conveyer belt carrying continents off to colder climates, far away from the tropical paradise we first enjoyed.

Since the last Ice Age 20,000 years ago, huge glaciers melted ending this epoch. Homo sapiens (family Hominoidea) were given many new problems to solve in order to survive. Human brains physically grew, nearly doubling in size.

What would H. Gardner say about education today ? We imagine Gardner would have many

concerns about the MCAS and how it is designed and given to all students no matter what type of learner.

The importance of grades over the personal development of the character of youth.

Society needs, ethics and accountability need to be part of curriculum design.

Why the slow incorporation of M.I. theory into today pedagogy and assessments.

Has our thinking changed ?

Not really. We both believe in the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.Our understanding has deepened-the role of culture-the biological implications , growth & inquiry.

Agree ? We firmly believe in

Multiple Intelligences.

More types of intelligence will be identified with greater understanding and technology to collect data.

Disagree ? We feel that there

may be more integration than Gardner claims between the types of intelligence.

On higher levels, biological weaving and interfacing.

If we could ask Gardner…. What do you think about telepathy/intuition ? Laptops for all students to use ? Blending of all cultures, and what happens

when they clash ? Are we headed for a global intelligence ? Should we be teaching to a global family ? Can we combine cultures, yet retain identity

or, will we be change completely ? What will artifical intelligence (implant nano chips

into living cells) role be in our future ?